MOSCOW, September 2 Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Veronika Stepanova admitted that an unknown person from Finland suggested that she get married so that she could compete in international competitions. «Here they propose to radically solve the issue of admission/non-admission to international starts. Marry, he says, for me, a strong Finnish guy. Thank you, we will be back anyway! Yes, and domestic, it is closer, clearer, more pleasant,” wrote 21-year-old Stepanova in her Telegram channel. Stepanova attached a screenshot of a message with a marriage proposal, in which an unknown person writes that he has “Russian connections” and he will help her return to international competitions. At the end of February, the International Ski Federation (FIS) suspended Russian athletes from international competitions under its auspices because of the events in Ukraine. This decision was open-ended until further notice while it remains in effect. Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), amid the events in Ukraine, recommended that international federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete. In August, Stepanova turned to the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, after his statement that the IOC still does not recommend inviting Russian or Belarusian athletes to international tournaments. The skier promised to train with triple strength so that she could have the pleasure of seeing the face of the head of the IOC when he presented her with a medal at the next Olympics.
